BY REGINALD KANYANE
THE North West province has been has been declared as drought disaster area following the unprecedented poor rainfall and heat wave.

The department of Rural, Environment, Agricultural and Development department MEC, Manketse Tlhape said in the excess of 21000 crop and livestock farmers across the four districts were affected.

She there were immediate warrant interventions to mitigate the impact in as far as the agricultural sector was concern.

“Following the declaration of the disaster by the North West premier, Supra Mahumapelo, the department of Rural, Environment and Agricultural Development (READ) has performed rigorous assessments on the state of drought through the Provincial Disaster Management Centre and in consultation with the National Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. Further engagements also ensued with the National Disaster Management Committee (NMDC) for possible disaster relief in collaboration with the National Treasury,” Tlhape said.

She said it was evident that the effects of the drought will affect food security in the province.

“The cause direct production losses on the current crop season. As an immediate relief, the department is proactively reprioritizing 20% of the 2015/16 grant funded provincial projects in consideration of the emergency drought relief requirements on fodder and water supply,” she said.

However Tlhape said the assistance was only aimed at assisting subsistence and small producers whilst awaiting the NDMC outcome.

“We urging farmers in the province not to lose hope. We have placed agriculture at the apex of the North West economy, therefore farmers should be given support as we going through this period and get back on track for future production,” she emphasised.
-TDN
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